“Why aren’t you on your call?”
Lori is lying on the floor, an angry scowl on her face. “I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m tired.”
I pick up a piece of the confetti. It’s what I feared. Bits of the math paper she has to finish by the end of the school day.
“Lori? What happened to your math paper?”
“So you’re telling me you don’t have anyone to officiate at the wedding?”
“Nope. I know an internet officiant but he lives too far away. Matt’s sister has two little kids so she can’t do it.”
“What do you need?”
“Can you do it?”
Chapter 16April 18, 2020, 3:20 p.m.Jessica: THEY DO My hands tremble and shine with a slick sheen of sweat. I tighten my hold on the notebook where I’ve written the service for this afternoon. I’m excited to officiate at my first wedding—and this wedding especially. As I wait with the pensive groom, birdsong fills the…
Here is the audio version of Chapter 14: Jessica: Bad news first. This one, the story of Jessica’s obituary about a couple who died from Covid-19, was very hard to read. I really did make myself sniffle. When Jessica tells Dan about her latest story, an obit of a couple who died from Covid-19, Dan…
Chapter 15 April 17, 2020, 11:45 a.m. Jessica: SURROUNDED BY ROMANCE Because there’s no real eye contact on Zoom I have trouble figuring out a lot of what’s going on in our daily editorial meetings. If it weren’t for the way the boxes light up with a yellow and green frame, I might not even…
Here is the audio version of Chapter 13: A Zoom wedding. When the governor says you can’t have more than 10 people gathered in one place, you get married via Zoom. That’s what Jessica’s friend Hanna decides to do. Next Wednesday: Chapter 14—Jessica: Bad news first I’m looking for your ideas! Every Monday I’ll post a…
Thursday, April 16, 2020, 8:45 a.m.Jessica: Bad news first Shirley and Jake Tyson were just a normal couple. As I listen to their daughter talk about them on the phone, it’s clear their family was the center of their lives. Shirley quit her job as a legal secretary to stay home with their three children.…
Here (a little late, sorry about that) is the audio version of Chapter 12 Dan: April showers, Jessica: Puzzles and promises In the next chapter of my #pandemic #romance, Dan gets up the nerve to call Jessica—this time it’s personal. To Jessica’s surprise, he’s got an ally—Lori. Next Wednesday: Chapter 13—A Zoom wedding. I’m looking for…
April 13, 2020, 1:30 p.m. Jessica: A Zoom wedding A text from Hanna flashes on my phone while I’m deep in conversation with Claire about my story. I’ve been working for her for nearly a month and I still can’t figure out what she wants. I get the stories—all except that one where none of…
Dear readers, Although I promised the next audio chapter of FALLING IN LOVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME, I must step away today. I have a deadline and it cannot be missed. I still welcome your ideas. I have written (or at least outlined) every chapter but for a killer idea I’m willing to revise. See…
Mary K. Tilghman, writer 